SHORT REVIEW

Given that we are all consumers of architecture, this publication acts as an introduction to the visionary possibilities of our built environment, as well as giving the reader the possibility to appreciate one hundred buildings around the world that are teaching us outstanding lessons on the avant-garde.

The future of architecture in 100 buildings is a positive vision of what architecture as a social enterprise can accomplish. The thesis of this publication is quite straight-forward: architecture is no longer a closed system; social media and smartphones are increasing social participation creating a more direct and democratic vision of communal needs.Free from disciplinary constraints or heavy textual analysis this light book is a direct introduction to the current state of human ingenuity in using the built environment for many noble pursuits.

Whether is teaching us about art just as the incredible inflatable Concert Hall: Ark Nova by Anish Kapoor, helping fight cancer like the Livsrum Counseling Centre in Denmark by Effekt Architects, building by council like the wikihouse by Alastair Parvin, rebuilding after a disaster like the Cardboard Cathedral by Shigeru Ban, or make infrastructure beautiful like the Hydroelectric power station in Kempten, by Becker Architekten, there are no rules that cannot be broken as long as has the will to create culture, build community, and create safer cities exists. Ultimately, all of these endeavours will be needed from our discipline in the XXIst century.

The communication revolution is making us all comfortable critiquing the built environment around us. This feedback is removing architecture from the exclusive purview of experts critics and putting power into the hands of the people who matter: everyday users - Marc Kushner